Check your comprehension
1. The narrator’s trip seems to be going smoothly until something happens to Doss. Describe what happens.
While they were passing through the village Koopal, Doss believes to see an old man trying to kill himself, so they go to the temple in the attempts of “saving” him, but when the passenger insists that none of that really happened, they go back to the car. There, Doss starts feeling unwell, and in a matter of seconds, his whole personality changes, because he is possessed by the old fellow he was talking about.
2. What does the narrator say to cause the old man to think about his own situation?
He asks him if has anyone that cares for him, and that’s when the old man mentions his beloved wife, which makes him see things differently.
3. How are peace and quiet finally restored?
The passenger performs a kind of exorcism, where he guides the old man through a process of thinking about his former wife while closing his eyes.
Critical Thinking
1. Why does the narrator find Doss’s words about the old man unbelievable?
Because he never actually sees anyone besides the two of them. Also, the fact that the doors of the temple were sealed and that Doss’s words didn’t make sense at all with his character or the ongoing situation.
2. How does the narrator react to Doss’s transformation?
He seems surprised, but not to a great extent. He knows that Doss is feeling unwell and although his words seem out of place, the narrator tries to follow through but at the same time corrects him.
3. Why is the narrator suspicious of what the old man says? Give examples.
He’s suspicious because not a thing of what the old man was saying matched with the current world: from the king, to the time periods, etc.
4. (a) Is the narrator the type of person who would be more likely to be ruled by his feelings or by reason? (b) Why?
I’d say he's likely to be ruled by his reason, because although Doss is not his best friend or anything, we can sense that he cares for him, and when the whole situation goes down, the narrator stays calm and is able to solve the conflict using his knowledge.
5. What purpose does the introduction of the family at the end of the story serve?
To show that the old man had actually gone away with his wife forever.
6. (a) Which elements of this story are uniquely Indian? (b) Which are universal?
The unique Indian aspects that I can identify in the story are: the setting, the culture, and the Krishna Battar. On the other hand, some universal aspects are: the language, the implements used, and the theme.
Reading Strategy
1. Name two elements that are fantastic.
The possession and the character of Krishna Battar
2. (a) At what point does the plot become fantastical? (b) How do you know?
In my opinion, it becomes fantastical when Doss is possessed by Krishna Battar and the narrator has to look for a way to bring him back, because a) the old man had died hundred of years ago and b) in a real-life situation this would never happen, or at least not that I know.
Literary Focus
1. Why is this story a fantasy?
It is a fantasy because some of its elements, like the ghost or the possession, do not align with the nature of our reality.
2. How does the inclusion of fantastic elements make the story appealing?
Usually people are bored from their reality, and stories like this one that talk about unimaginable things in our reality are often perceived positively, because they act as sort of an escape or an entertainer from our world.
3. What realistic elements of the story make it believable?
Mainly the setting, because it is really close to our reality, taking into account that temples are an essential part of Indian culture. I would say that the narrator’s perspective is another detail that makes it believable, because he’s kind of the only element that allows us to separate the fantastical from the reality.
Build Vocabulary
1. Brutality: the state of cruel and violent treatment or behavior.
2. Severity: the condition of being severe.
3. Generosity: the condition of being kind and generous.
4. Individualism: the state of being independent and self-reliant.
1. Sobriety: moderation
2. Awry: crooked
3. Literally: actually
4. Longevity: duration
5. Imperative: essential
6. Venture: risk
Build Grammar Skills
1. He stooped, wiped the beads of perspiration off his forehead, and hobbled along towards the temple.
2. He drove the car smoothly, seldom swore at passers-by, and exhibited perfect judgment.
3. I dug the earth, burnt every brick, and put them one upon another, all single-handed.
By Carolina León B., Step 9 Yellow
